F.B.I. Says Guards Killed 14 Iraqis Without Cause
Should the Justice Department seek indictments?
NYT- Federal agents investigating the Sept. 16 episode in which Blackwater security personnel shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians have found that at least 14 of the shootings were unjustified and violated deadly-force rules in effect for security contractors in Iraq, according to civilian and military officials briefed on the case.
The F.B.I. investigation into the shootings in Baghdad is still under way, but the findings, which indicate that the company’s employees recklessly used lethal force, are already under review by the Justice Department.
Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek indictments, and some officials have expressed pessimism that adequate criminal laws exist to enable them to charge any Blackwater employee with criminal wrongdoing. Spokesmen for the Justice Department and the F.B.I. declined to discuss the matter.
Isn’t 100% of the killing we’ve done over there unjustified (no imminent threat) and illegal (international law-wise and in violation of the constitution, which requires a declaration of war)?
What’s so special about these killings?
Do these armed agents take any kind of oath of loyalty to a particular principle or other entity prior to being contracted by our government?
Some of these “Corporate Persons” (corporations) are capitalizing on loopholes in international law and domestic law to engage in activities which the “average Joe” would be in jail for. And of course many think that these “private contractors” in Iraq are possible doing more harm than good.
Chris
GOOD QUESTION!
Chris,
Link to Blackwater (previous company in trouble) Core Values page including their claim to operate by the International Peace Operators Association Code of Conduct –
http://ipoaonline.org/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=108
Blackwater ‘Core Values’:
Core Values
Excellence: We strive to do not only our best, but to do the best that can be done in all situations and under all circumstances to protect the defenseless and provide a safe environment for all.
Efficiency: We will create the most value using the least amount of resources to achieve the greatest success.
Execution: The foundation of our success. We plan to execute, and execute our plan. Using innovation, flexibility, speed and agility, we will perform with moral courage and conviction and we will do so against all odds.
Teamwork: That which holds everything together. We pool our collective talents to find the optimal solution for our customers and for ourselves. One person can make a difference, but a lot of people make a lot of difference. We will harness the collective energy of Blackwater and direct it toward realizing our vision.
ETHICS
Blackwater supports accountability and transparency in the professional military, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations industry. We conduct ourselves and our business with honor and integrity. As members of and partners with the International Peace Operators Association, we accept and daily abide by our collective Code of Conduct
There isn’t yet a rock-solid law on the books that can be used against these 14 murderers.
So if there’s a high probability that the case would be thrown out – or – overturned on appeal, a prosecutor will generally forgo filing charges.
This of course pertains to those who can and will be able to hire a talented lawyer(s) to defend them. When the suspect is destitute or unable to retain an attorney, and the prosecutor knows they’ll end up with an overworked/underpaid public defender, they’ll very often file several charges and encourage the defender to convince their client to plea guilty to one of the lesser charges.
Blackwater will spend whatever it takes to defend these employees if the case goes to trial.
There is a bill making its way through congress now that would put laws on the books so that similar events can be prosecuted, but the laws will not be retroactive (applicable in this case).
If you’re talking about “countries vs. corporations” then multinational corporations have a “legal advantage” these days.
Execution: The foundation of our success. We plan to execute, and execute our plan.
Obviously. 17 dead Iraqis in one fell swoop makes their “execution” ethic globally apparent.
Who wrote these “core values”? Sounds like a damn rout in jingle cliches.
And where’s their oath to protect and defend the US Constitution that all good military types swear to upon entering service? I would rather my country be protected by men who’ve sworn an oath to protect our Constitution than those sworn to adhere to some vaguely unenforceable international standards.
Bravo! Chris
The State Department Inspector General, that would be Condi Rice’s State Department, resigned today.
Seems some of the allegations about him blocking investigations into Blackwater might just be a little bit more than partisan grand standing by the Democrats.
Can’t help but wonder why Rice didn’t stop Blackwater before 14 more people were killed.
It’s old news. Blackwater is corrupt and Rice et al know it.